Cedar rapids man sentenced to 25 years for robbery

A 22-year-old Cedar Rapids man pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery Wednesday and was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Linn County District Court.

Sharden Houke was also originally charged with attempted murder and going armed with intent, but those two charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The defense claimed Houke accidentally shot Artrell Charles in the head with a .22 caliber handgun during a robbery in May 2009. Charles' head was grazed by a bullet and he suffered minor injuries.

Houke and Juston Gruner, 21, of Cedar Rapids, who also pleaded guilty in the case, broke into Charles' apartment May 24, 2009 while armed with a handgun and stole a flat-screen television and stereo equipment.

Houke claimed during a hearing last year that he was too drunk to remember signing a statement he gave police. He said he didn't remember much of what happened the day Charles was robbed and shot.

Houke said he had been been drinking all night on May 23 with some friends. He estimated drinking $50 of whiskey, followed by several other alcoholic drinks and shots. He was interviewed by police but didn't remember signing a waiver of rights form.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns asked Houke during that hearing if he remembered making cell phone calls to his girlfriend and others from the police department and asking them to lie for him.

Houke said he didn't remember making the calls.

Houke declined to speak during the sentencing today.

His attorney Les Stokke said Houke “got himself into a jam in this situation” and just wanted to start serving his time, so he could get out one day and be there for his son.

No restitution was ordered in this case, Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns said. Most of Charles' property was recovered and his injuries required little medical care.

Houke must serve 70 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.